Tape measure



K. LOQUENS July 22; 1952 TAPE MEASURE Filed Feb. 28, 1948 Make! INVENTOR. BY 2 Patented July 22, 1952 TAPE MEASURE Karel Loquens, Prague, Czechoslovakia Application February 28, 1948, Serial No. 12,070 In Czechoslovakia December 21, 1946 Section 1, Public Law 690', August. 8, 1946 7 Patent expires December 21, 1966 3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to tape and band measures, hereinafter referred to as tape measures.

Tape measures which coil up automatically as hitherto used, are comparatively bulky and heavy, as an additional spring is required for a full coiling up of the tape.

The present invention relates to a tape measure which may be automatically coiled up comprising a steel tape made in one piece and serving simultaneously as a spring, which is arranged in a circular box and wound around a pin. a brake being provided adjacent to the inlet slot for the band, and acting in the rest position upon the edge of the steel band so as to press it against the narrow side of the slot. When the brake is released, the band coils up by its own force in the box.

One embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates the measuring tape completely coiled up in the box;

Fig. 2 is a similar view, illustrating the tape partly pulled out;

Fig. 3 is a similar view illustrating the tape completely pulled out and i Fig. 4 is a side view in section showing also the brake.

Referring to the drawings:

The measuring tape I is housed in a circular box 2 having an inlet slot for the measuring tape and a pin 3 arranged excentrically relatively to the axis of the box and riveted to the front and rear sides of the box 2.

The measuring tape l is made of steel, one end of it being secured to the pin 3, the other end passing through the inlet slot out of the box 2. The inner part of the band I acts as a spiral spring and tends to coil up the band completely so as to conceal it inside the box 2.

To enable any part of the band to be pulled out of the box and to remain outside, a brake is provided. This brake consists of a pin 5 fixed in one of the sides of the box adjacent to the inlet slot and having a narrow bushing 4 with an enlarged rim, pressed by means of a spiral spring 6 against the edge of the steel tape 1. Thus the tape I is pressed against the narrow side of the slot.

No other spring for coiling up the band, such as is necessary with hitherto known measuring tapes is required. The known measuring tapes generally make use of a spiral spring coiled up in parallel with the measuring tape and housed in a compartment in the box which is divided from the space for the measuring tape by a par- 2 tition wall. Such measuring devices have been of course much heavier and bulkier, requiring twice the height of the box required in a device according to the invention.

If the tape l is pulled out, it does not touch the inner walls of the box, so that the only resistance encountered on pulling out the tape is the force of the spring and the braking effect of the bushing 4, in so far as this bushing is not pressed down. By reason of this brake, the tape remains in any desired position.

When the tape I is to be returned into its original position in the box, the bushing 4 is depressed, thus releasing its action upon the band, which coils up due to the force of the spring. As the band is housed somewhat excentrically in the box, the outer parts of the coiled up band bear against the walls of the box and thus limit the speed of coiling up.

The arrangement according to the invention thus provides a measuring tape which can be automatically coiled up, requires a minimum space, is of negligible weight and is easy to handle.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:

1. A measuring device having a cylindrical box and a spirally wound steel tape arranged substantially in the box and extending through a slot arranged in the curved wall of the box, comprising in combination, a pin arranged in the box eccentrically with respect to the curved wall of the box on the diameter thereof passing through the slot; means for fixing one end of the tape to said pin; and a brake mechanism arranged in the box substantially on the diameter thereof passing through the slot and being adapted to press one edge of the tape against the adjoining shorter edge of the slot.

2. A measuring device having a cylindrical box and a spirally wound steel tape arranged substantially in the box and extending through a slot arranged in the curved wall of the box, comprising in combination, a pin arranged in the box eccentrically with respect to the curved wall of the box on the diameter thereof passing through the slot; means for fixing one end of the tape to said pin; and a brake mechanism arranged in the box substantially on the diameter thereof passing through the slot and being adapted to press one edge of the tape against the adjoining shorter edge of the slot, said brake mechanism including a bushing having an enlarged rim poragainst one edge 01 the tape.

3. A measuring device having a cylindrical box and a spirally wound steel tape arranged substantially in the box and extending through a slot arranged in the curved Wall of the box comprising in combination, a pin arranged in the box eccentrically with respect to the curved wall of the box on the diameter thereof passing through the slot; means for fixing one end of the tape to said pin; and a brake mechanism arranged in the box substantially on the diameter thereof passing through the slot and being adapted to press one edge of the tape against the adjoining shorter edge of the slot, said brake mechanism including a guiding pin secured tonne of the flat end faces of the box, a bushing arranged for sliding motion on said guiding pin and having an enlarged rim portion, and a spring for pressing said rim portion against one edge of the tape.

KAREL LOQUENS,

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

